Vishnupad Mandir in Gaya

Vishnupad Temple is a sacred place for Hindu pilgrimage and famous place for Shraddha ceremony and Pind Dan in Gaya. The ancient temple is dedicated to Hindu trinity Lord Vishnu. This temple is located on the Falgu River in Gaya city of Bihar State. The temple has an east facing 40 cm long footprint of lord Vishnu made in octagonal shape. The holy footprint is in solid rock and coated with silver plating. This footprint shows the winning moments of Lord Vishnu on evil Gayasura by placing their feet on his chest. No one knows who built this temple but as per the said the temple was rebuilt by Ahilya Bai Holkar during 1787. Ahilya Bai Holkar was the Maharani of Indore. The Vishnupad temple is installed with other 24 temples. The architecture of the temple is also an impressive part of the temple. The temple is approx 30 meter tall and having a large mandap on it. Whole temple is built by using gray granite blocks. Vishnupad Temple is the most attractive and famous religious destination of Gaya.

Facts about the Vishnupad Temple

Address: Chand Chaura, Gaya,District: GayaState: BiharPhone Number: +91 9304386077Pin code: 823001Built In: 1787Built by‎: Not Available but rebuilt by Ahilya Bai HolkarDedicated To: Trinity Lord VishnuSignificant: The temple has a footprint of Lord VishnuFamous As: The Vishnupad TempleArchitecture Style: ‎Hindu Temple StyleCelebrated festivals or Events: Shraddha Karma and Pind dan rituals, Chhath Pooja, Gaya Shraddha, Buddha Jayanti, Pind-daan Pooja, Tulsi Pooja and Pitra-dosh PoojaHow to reach By Air: The nearest airport is Bodhgaya Airport which is up to 9 kilometers far from Gaya. Vishnupad Temple is up to 8 km far from the airport. Tourist can reach to Vishnupad Temple by hiring private Vehicle or Public transport from Airport.How to reach By Rail: Nearest Railway station is Gaya Junction. Vishnupad Temple is up to 3 km far from Gaya Junction. Gaya is well connected with all major cities of India by Rail. Many Other various trains are also available for Gaya from all over India.How to reach By Bus or Road: Gaya Bus stand is the nearest bus stand which is up to 3 km far from The Vishnupad Temple. A large number of transport, owned and private buses, regular buses, and Air-conditioned and deluxe luxury coaches are available from all cities of India to Gaya. Tourists can also reach Gaya by their own vehicles.

This Vishnupad temple is a very important and famous tourist religious Hindu place of worship lord Vishnu and their holy footprints. As per the history, there was a demon named Gayasura who perform a hard penance and ask for a boon that whoever will see him should obtain salvation. He started teasing all devta and that why Lord Vishnu killed him by placing their foot on his chest. Lord Vishnu put a stone on his body and gave him a Moksha. Tourist can still see that stone in the temple. As per the other story, getting salvation was a lucky thing for righteous people but after getting boon everyone get salvation easily by looking at Gayasura. To stop immoral people from getting salvation Vishnu push Gayasura by his right foot and sent him beneath the earth but Lord Vishnu’s footprint’s impression stayed at the place that we see in the Vishnupad temple even today. The impression of footprints including of nine symbols containing Shankam, Chakram and Gadham and these are believed to be the lord’s weapons.

Entry Fee and Timing for the Vishnupad Temple

Open days: Open for all day of the yearVisit Duration: up to 1 hourPhotography: Not AllowedAarti Timings: 6.30 am dailyDarshan Timing: 6.30 am to 7.30 pm DailyBest time to visit: Devotees can Visit Vishnupad Temple anytime during the YearEntry Fee: Free Entry

Many Hindu festivals and rituals such as Chhath Pooja, Gaya Shraddha, Buddha Jayanti, Pind-daan Pooja, Tulsi Pooja and Pitra-dosh Pooja are performed in this temple. The temple has always been a controversial matter between two communities Hindu and Buddhist. Hindus think that impressions of lord Vishnu’s foot in Vishunpad temple are of Hindu Lord Vishnu and Buddhists think that they are of Buddhist Lord Buddha. Even after all this the Vishnupad temple is a major pilgrim place of Bihar. This ancient Vishnupad Temple is a real proud of Gaya. Gaya was popular as Magadha in old period. The temple is famous for having footprints of lord Vishnu. Gaya got its name from the demon Gayasura who was killed by lord Vishnu. The Vishnupad temple is a very sacred place for Hindu in India. Lord Rama had also performed Pindadanam here for their forefathers. Every day large number of both Hindu and Buddhist devotees visit this temple. Many devotees prefer to visit this Vishnupad temple after pind Pind-daan rituals. The temple is equally significant for both Buddhists and Hindus. Vishnupad temple is such a great place and visit worthy place.